This is most-assuredly not a cemetery one should go out of his/her way to visit. That being said, it is not without a handful of monuments that are, if not memorable, at least worth a second look and a photograph or two.

Little is extant with regard to the history of this diminutive cemetery. What we do know is that the congregants of St. John’s parish purchased the property in 1865 and their bishop, Augustus Maria Toebbe, consecrated it in that same year. Improvements were made under the direction of subsequent pastors. These included paving roads and the addition of landscaping features.

While most of the grounds are flat and open, there are a number of evergreens that stand along the property borders. These provide respite from the sun and pleasant, shadowed areas in which to sit and reflect. Visitors will discover, in just such a stand, a large crucifix under which, in various poses of mourning, three figures attend. This monument marks the burial sight of the men who have served as the parish’s pastors…a fact easily ascertained by the proliferation of headstones with names prefaced with “Rev.,” as well as the words inscribed beneath the aforementioned crucifixion scene: “Forget not your pastors who have preached the word of God to you.”

Elsewhere, there is a stone chapel dedicated to “Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted.” The original structure was erected in 1895 under the direction of Fr. A.M. Meyer. It eventually fell into disrepair, but was completely renovated in 1957. The main entrance of the chapel is flanked by the white stone figures of two angels inset in alcoves. Each clasps a candleholder which, at the time of our visit, stood empty. Also at this entrance is a plain stone altar which is doubtless used for outdoor services.

St. John’s would certainly serve to quench the thirst of a taphophile who, for example, had just emerged from a long winter of not being able to stroll through a cemetery; however, its “1 Tombstone” rating is a clear indication it is hardly a “must see.”